Provost Michele Wheatly, Vice President Pete Sala Convene Third Campus Facilities Advisory Board Meeting

Board members unanimously endorse continued focus on enhanced accessibility, review Waverly Avenue construction plan

Michele G. Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, convened the third meeting of the Campus Facilities Advisory Board (CFAB) on Thursday, April 27, at the Office of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction (CPDC).

Wheatly and Sala, the CFAB co-chairs; Cathryn Newton, special advisor to the Chancellor and Provost and lead faculty advisor to the board; and the board’s members participated in a 90-minute conversation about a number of important topics, chief among them accessibility.

During yesterday’s meeting, the members engaged in a thoughtful conversation about a recommendation made by member Arlene Kanter, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and director of the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program.

Although the University has a longstanding commitment to accessibility, Kanter asked the members to consider adopting a new guiding principle for prospective campus facilities decisions.

The guiding principle, which was unanimously endorsed by the board, is as follows: “Syracuse University will not locate any programs, departments or organizations, or any faculty, students or staff offices, in any buildings that are not fully accessible and in compliance with federal, state and local laws. Such buildings should be made accessible; if that is not feasible, such buildings should be decommissioned, sold or used solely for purposes permitted by federal, state and local laws.”

Kanter said CFAB’s endorsement of this language reinforces the University’s continued focus on being an accessible and inclusive campus community. The CFAB will continue its accessibility focus with a forthcoming discussion about the implementation process of this guiding principle.

“As we, as a university, proceed with the Campus Framework planning process, and as various projects are initiated, it is important that enhanced access continues to be at the heart of all upgrades to current facilities and the design and construction of new facilities. I commend the University, and my fellow members of the CFAB, for continuing to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity,” said Kanter.

The new guiding principle is the second to be endorsed by the board since its inception in January. During its January meeting, the board unanimously endorsed positioning the physical heart of the campus as the academic core of Syracuse University. This means all current and new space situated around or near the Shaw Quadrangle will be used for academic departments, student-service units and administrative support offices.

Yesterday’s agenda also included a presentation by Joyce LaLonde ’17, vice president of the Student Association, about the success of the Cycle Share Program; a review by the CFAB of the Waverly Avenue construction plan and timeline; and an update from CPDC staff about forthcoming summer construction projects.

To learn more about the Campus Framework, visit CampusFramework.syr.edu. To read the Academic Strategic Plan, visit fastforward.syr.edu/strategic-plan/.